Demand side management structures

ABSTRACT

An improved building panel and attachment system for the production of structures with improved energy efficiency and fire safety characteristics. Panels are formed from a structural angle I beam with angles emerging from a web and forming dovetail shaped channels. The dovetail channels provide anchorage points for cross members within the panels as well as weather-stripping and mechanical joints between panels and a building frame. The unique assembly method allows the insulation value and fire safety of the building to be radically improved over conventional commercial structures. Fiberglass can be combined with low thermal conductivity gases such as Argon to improve R-Values by about 40% over existing building stock. Heat and smoke can be vented from the building during a fire to slow the onset of flashover and the safety of fire fighting personnel can be enhanced when they reach the fire scene.  
     Improved insulating panels, daylighting panels with light attenuation and heat dissipation means, as well as solar panels for solar heating and night sky cooling are shown. These can be assembled into a variety of functional roof and wall configurations for reducing building operating costs and creating more attractive retail and commercial buildings. Improved air distribution systems, and thin film collectors allow for production of an entire roof of collectors at a reasonable cost. Novel assembly methods allow for improvements in construction cost and safety. An advanced control system for balancing daylighting and artificial lighting is shown, along with a demand side management, (DSM), energy utilization system.

REFERENCE

[0001] Provisional Patent Application US 714 60/215.919 filed Jul. 3,2000 by Paul H. Hartman

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention relates to structures, specifically to commercialbuildings that provide demand side management energy savings, andimproved fire safety.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] There is a great need and public support for improving the energyefficiency in the United States. Commercial buildings account forone-sixth of national energy consumption and 32% of electricity use, yetroof R values average about 10 for most small and medium sizestructures.

[0006] In general, insulation ratings are compromised in systemsbuildings by compression of insulation at metal purlins. This degradesthe already low insulation value installed because of costconsiderations. Other factors are the tenuous vapor barrier ofinsulation facing and the practice of stapling seams of facing togethercontribute to eventual condensation, further degradation of R- value andcorrosion on the underside of the roof deck.

[0007] A number of workers, such as Clemenson (U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,072),Sparkes (U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,320), and Bolich (U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,780)have attempted to solve compression of insulation by techniques toencapsulate the metal purlins and expand the insulation to it's fullthickness with supporting structures. These systems add complexity andcost to an already tedious construction system with multiple passesacross the roof deck during installation. They do not improve theR-value of fiberglass insulation and do not address the basic problem ofthe metal purlins introducing a thermal short circuit.

[0008] One approach to insulation improvement is the use insulating gasmixtures as typically used in windows and some foams, example Rotermund(U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,231). To date, it has not been used extensivelywith conventional fiberglass insulation.

[0009] Another approach to solving insulation problems has been toutilize structural insulated panels with foam cores as typified by Sauer(U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,548). These systems are yet more expensive, andrarely used to replace the purlins; structural properties are not usedeffectively. Because they are universally attached to the structure withself-drilling screws that pass through the joints between panels, twoproblems arise. Roof leakage must be dealt with and is the most commonsource of building user complaints and lawsuits.

[0010] The tight barrier often causes rapid flashover in a buildingfire. The organic foam insulation contributes large amounts of smoke,and can occasionally melt; passing through the screw holes and addingcombustibles to a second phase of the fire. Fire fighters reaching ablaze typically need to chop a hole in the roof deck to locate the fireand to begin fighting it. These problems are generally even moreaccentuated in flat roof buildings.

[0011] A number of workers have attempted to deal with fire fightingissues. Shapiro (U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,956) and Smith (U.S. Pat. No.5,027,741) have devices for aiding in escape from a smoke filledenvironment. Welch (U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,990) and Astell (U.S. Pat. No.6,114,948) deal with aiding fire fighters in smoke and flashoversituations. L'Heureux (U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,659) improves on methods foropening up shingle/plywood roofs in fires. None of these fine effortsdeal with the basic causes of the problem, which are heat and smokecontainment and to some extent contribution of combustibles from theroof deck.

[0012] Sprinklers are an alternative approach that is not often used insmall to medium sized buildings because of initial cost, complexity, anddifficulty of maintenance. Walls (U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,609) attempts tosolve this through a ceiling/roof mounted modular device usingfire-retardant chemical released by a fusable link. Anghinetti (U.S.Pat. No. 4,104,834), Morris (U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,348), Veen (U.S. Pat.No. 3,788,013) and Lyons (U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,596) are among a largegroup of fire vents that release smoke and heat from fires. Some of thefactors limiting use of these measures are again cost, the inabilitylocate them in the exact area of the fire, and effective weatherproofingof the roof membrane where these devices penetrate the roof deck.

[0013] Lighting is one of the highest operating costs for many retailoperations. More than 50% of commercial/industrial building space coulduse daylighting to cut energy usage and costs, but does not. This may bedue to a lack of effective daylighting panels that can control lightingand heat buildup while satisfying the needs of a good roof deckassembly.

[0014] Gumpert (U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,576) has a skylight suited tostanding seam roofing installations, but it has no attenuating orcontrol capability. Christopher (U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,682) and Curshod(U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,777) have light attenuators, but lack an effectivemeans for dissipating heat buildup in the panel and do not have anysignificant means for assembling their panels into commercial roofing.Dittmer (U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,247) has a passive heat dissipation systemfor his panel, but lacks an active daylighting control system.

[0015] Many commercial heating and cooling systems have poor efficiencyas they work using air source heat pumps having a heating coefficient ofperformance of 2.2-2.8 and a cooling EER as low as 12.

[0016] One of the most successful innovations in the HVAC field has beenthe development and use of ground water heat pumps. Ground water heatpumps can achieve a heating coefficient of performance of 4.5 and acooling EER of 20. Open loop systems require the cost of wells and anadequate water supply rate. The water supply need has limitedapplication in commercial/industrial structures and in areas whereregulations restrict the use of wells. Closed loop geothermal systemshave costs associated with laying tubing in the ground and often lackthe efficiency of open loop systems. The use of glycols/chemicals inthese systems represents a hazard to the integrity of the ground waterresource.

[0017] Many integral solar panels built into a roof structure in theprior art have been designed from the standpoint of using glass glazingon a wooden roof structure. Provisions for air or water circulation tothe panels have been limited and integration into a complete energymanagement system has been limited. The use of wood and the residentialconstruction methods do not closely match the needs of commercial andlight industrial structures. The goal of providing direct heat requireslarge amounts of storage, high collection temperatures and oftenduplication of heating plants to serve as backup. Stout, (U.S. Pat. No.4,244,355), is typical of this group of prior art.

[0018] Wilhelm, (U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,707), utilized a low cost filmbased collector for retrofit to existing roofs. Though efficient, theinvention does not address the distribution system for feeding workingfluid to panels through the roof deck. The fundamental drawback ofnearly all the prior solar collector art is the lack of a fluidcirculation system that moves working fluid to the exterior of the roofdeck without sacrificing leak integrity of the roof. Hartman, (U.S. Pat.No. 5,134,827), utilized a good fluid transfer system with a low costfilm collector, but did not provide a very good connection to thebuilding frame. A second limitation of most prior solar art is the useof unusual construction methods that do not fit the general skills,training and work habits common in the trades.

[0019] In general, the owner or user sees the roof of a typicalcommercial or industrial building as a liability rather than anadvantage.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the presentinvention are:

[0021] a) to provide a building construction system that is leak tight,easily assembled, allows a good structural connection to the buildingframe, and accommodates thermal expansion of the roof deck.

[0022] b) to provide a connection system for roofing that does notrequire perforation of the roof deck, and exhibits high insulationperformance without the use of foam based insulation that contributes tothe hazard in a fire situation.

[0023] c) to provide a fire safety system that allows for release ofheat from the interior to prevent building flashover. To improve theease of location of a fire and fire fighting efforts made from outsidethe building. To further provide a fire safety system that improvesbuilding resistance to an external fire, particularly a forest fire.

[0024] d) to provide a roofing system that has an attractive interiorappearance, including the easy installation of daylighting. To includeintegral fluid transfer and heat transfer into a roofing system that canbe easily assembled and work in conjunction with efficient heat pumpequipment to provide demand side management energy savings.

[0025] e) to provide modern control systems for heating, cooling, anddaylighting of common commercial and light industrial buildings.Further, to provide an HVAC system that utilizes conventional componentsand relatively conventional building construction techniques to utilizerenewable energy sources in a demand side management system for controlof energy usage.

[0026] Further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the description and drawings that follow.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0027]FIG. 1A is a cross section of an angle I beam showing assembly ofan air plenum.

[0028]FIG. 1B is a cross section of an angle I beam using alternatematerials

[0029]FIG. 2A shows a cross brace used in panel construction

[0030]FIG. 2B shows an alternate cross brace and rigid connector used inpanel construction

[0031]FIG. 3A is an exploded assembly drawing of basic insulating andsolar panel structure.

[0032]FIG. 3B is an assembly drawing for an alternate panel assemblysystem

[0033]FIG. 4 is an isometric drawing of a light industrial building.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a cross section through the joint between two solarpanels.

[0035]FIG. 6 is a detail drawing of collector and insulating films.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a partial cross section through completed panelattachments to the building frame.

[0037]FIG. 8 is an isometric assembly drawing of structural attachmentcomponents.

[0038]FIG. 9 is a cross section through an insulating panel joint in thearea of a fire.

[0039]FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly drawing of an air distributionassembly.

[0040]FIG. 11 is a structural and hvac assembly drawing in area of agirder.

[0041]FIG. 12 is a cross section showing assembly of an outer jointbetween panels.

[0042]FIG. 13 is a sequential assembly diagram of the joint betweenpanels.

[0043]FIG. 14 is an exploded assembly drawing of daylighting panels.

[0044]FIG. 15 shows a louver drive mechanism and a four angle I beam ina daylighting panel.

[0045]FIG. 16 is an interior elevation of a commercial building withdaylighting and solar collection.

[0046]FIG. 17 is a cross section through a daylighting panel joint to asolar panel.

[0047]FIG. 18 is a plan view of a commercial building site.

[0048]FIG. 19 is a block diagram of basic daylighting controls.

[0049]FIG. 20 is a process and instrument drawing of a demand sidemanagement system.

SUMMARY

[0050] The basic invention is a structural beam for replacing purlins,with a web portion, flanges roughly perpendicular to the web and anglesemerging from the web near the flanges. The new beam serves as the framefor improved insulating, solar, and daylighting panels within a demandside management energy savings system for buildings. An alternateembodiment is a building fire safety system comprising a heat sensitiveconnector system positioned between building panels, and a connectordisplacement device. An additional embodiment is a clamping system usinga relatively rigid connector, a clamped component, fasteners, and ahousing with a roughly dovetail shaped channel.

DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1A, 1B

[0051]FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a preferred embodiment of the invention. InFIG. 1A, a structural angle I beam 31 is assembled to a plenum cover 48to form an air plenum 50. An alternate beam construction is shown inFIG. 1B. The new beams provide easily constructed modular panels andbuildings having integral air distribution, heat exchange capabilities,and attachment surfaces.

[0052] Beam 31 has a web 37 ending in an upper flange 32 and a lowerflange 42 that are both roughly perpendicular to the web. An upper angle36 emerges from web 37 forming an acute angle to the portion of the webclosest to flange 32. Angle 36, flange 32 and web 37 enclose an upperdovetail channel 41. Similarly, a lower angle 46 emerges from web 37forming an acute angle to the portion of the web closest to the lowerflange. Angle 46, lower flange 42 and web 37 enclose a lower dovetailchannel 51.

[0053] Flange 32 can end in an upper bulb 33. Channel 41 contains anexterior seal surface 34 and an exterior lock surface 35. The upperbulb, seal surface 34 and lock surface 35 assist in weather-strippingand mechanical integrity (FIGS. 4,5). Flange 42 can end in a lower bulb43. Channel 51 contains an interior connector surface 44 and an interiorshelf surface 45. Bulb 43, surface 44, and surface 45 assist in thesecuring of panels to the building frame (FIGS. 7,8).

[0054] Plenum cover 48 is formed with a pair of bends 47 to create apair of snap legs 49. Legs 49 are roughly congruent to surfaces 35 and44. The snap legs have a small curvature at the end which allows theplenum cover to be easily fastened to beam 31 as illustrated by dash dotline 48 I(FIG. 1). Plenum 50 is formed from cover 48, web 37, angle 36,and angle 46. After assembly, the snap legs securely contact surface 35,and surface 44 to prevent undesirable air losses from the plenum.

[0055] A series of optional manifold holes 38 can be drilled throughangle 36 to connect plenum 50 with channel 41. An easily assembled airdistribution system 173, (FIG. 20), with capability to pipe air to anentire roof of solar collectors is established through the use of theplenums, holes 38, and channel 41. A series of optional charging holes39 can be drilled through web 37 to permit fill of panels with lowthermal conductivity gases. In FIG. 1A, hole 39 is sealed with anoptional aluminum tape 40.

[0056] Angle I beam 31 is preferably produced as an aluminum extrusionfor cost and best fire retardant performance. Alternatively, it could beproduced as a reinforced composite using a phenolic resin. Compositematerials would provide a better thermal break in the building assembly.

[0057] Other alternates could include fabrication of the angle I beamfrom several materials such as a web composed of engineered lumber orcomposite that is adhesively bonded to aluminum modules that wouldinclude the flanges and angles of the upper and lower sides. Anotheruseful combinations would be fiberglass composite flange modules with aforest product web. This is illustrated in FIG. 1B. Standard heights forthe angle I beam would correspond to dimensions of readily availablefiberglass insulation.

[0058] The preferred material for cover 48 is thin gauge sheet metal.Cover 48 is ideally field installed within the sequence outlined inFIGS. 11 through 13. One alternative material would be pressuresensitive backed foil-scrim-kraft paper (FSK) laminates.

[0059]FIG. 1B illustrates an alternate construction and materials choicefor the beam of FIG. 1A. A second angle I beam 200 is illustratedcomposed of two aluminum flange modules 201A and 201B and a compositeweb 202. Each of the flange modules consists of a flange 204 giving riseto two spaced apart socket risers 205 which turn to form angle sections206. Modules 201 form two roughly dovetail shaped channels 207 betweenthe flanges and the angle sections. Within each channel 207 there is aflange surface 208 and a reaction surface 209, roughly opposed to andspaced apart from surface 208.

[0060] Each flange 204 ends in two elongated bulbs 203 that extend aboveand below the surfaces of the flange. A surface skin or glazing will beattached to the flange only at the bulbs limiting the heat transferthrough the system.

[0061] Module 201A is bonded to web 202 using an external adhesive 210where module 201A is positioned at the building exterior. Module 201B isbonded to web 202 using adhesive 211 where module 201B is positioned atthe building interior. Adhesive 210 is preferably a semisolid materialat high service temperatures allowing the module some freedom of thermalexpansion relative to web 202. Adhesive 211 is preferably a structuralthermoset material geared toward effective load transfer to module 201Bat a relatively constant building interior temperature.

[0062] Web 202 is preferably a composite consisting of continuous strandmat and fiberglass roving with a phenolic resin matrix. A variety ofother matrix materials can be used where fire retardance is not anissue, such as greenhouse assemblies. The thermal conductivity of thesematerials is on the order of 0.24 W/m K versus a thermal conductivityfor steel of about 60 W/m K. A 3.2 mm (0.125″) composite web will haveonly about 3% of the thermal transfer of a 0.46 mm (0.018″) sidewall ofa prior art steel structural insulated panel.

[0063] Beam 200 can also be used with a variety of holes such as thoseshown in FIGS. 1A, 3A and 3B to distribute flow of process fluid andinsulating gases. The air distribution systems shown in FIGS. 1A, 3A, 5,6 10, 13,15, 17 and 20 can also be used exchangably with beam 200 or anyof the other similar beams disclosed throughout the patent.

[0064] A high degree of mechanical strength can be expected from thesebeams, especially where they will be used to replace purlins in thebuilding construction. The upper dovetail channel can be used as shownhere and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,827 to provide bothweather-stripping and mechanical connections between prefabricatedpanels. The lower dovetail channel can be used as shown in FIGS. 7,8,11,and 12 to provide a structural connection between panels and buildingframe members.

[0065] It is not desired to limit applicability of beams 31 and 200 to aspecific structural assembly system. The use of angle I beam 31, beam200 and a four angle I beam 121 (FIGS. 14-17) to produce roof deckpanels represents a single field of use of this embodiment described inthis specification. Angle I beam 31, beam 200, four angle I beam 121 andthe variations described above have a variety of other structuralapplications:

[0066] A few of these would be girders supporting walls, roof decks,floors, or bridges. The dovetail shaped channels afford locations forattachment of a variety of cross bracing, diagonal bracing (FIGS. 2B,3B) and/or bridging (not shown). normally associated with girder andopen truss work construction.

[0067] Other potential applications of the present invention would bestructural framing for transport vehicles and support framing forsignage. A unique application for the present invention is as stringerin a lightweight, skew resistant material handling pallet, (not shown).Other applications will emerge from examination of the balance of thespecification and claims.

DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 2 THROUGH 6

[0068]FIGS. 2A through 6 illustrate an alternate embodiment of theinvention in the form of functional building panels to provide demandside management (DSM) energy savings for building users and an improvedmeans for assembling structures. An insulating panel 58 and a solarpanel 59 are used in the construction of a commercial, agricultural orlight industrial building 71 with a low cost, highly insulating,integral solar collector roof

[0069]FIG. 2A shows a cross brace 52 used in the insulating panel, thesolar panel, and a daylighting panel 141 shown later. A central strut 54is bent into attachment tabs 53A and 53B on either end. The tabs carrybonding surfaces 55A and 55B. Brace 52 is preferably a rectangularaluminum extrusion.

[0070] An alternate shape for brace 52 is shown in FIG. 2B. A clampingsystem 240 for assembling panel frames is shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B.Cross brace 214 is a bar shaped profile with rounded sides with aventral longitudinal slot 218. Brace 214 is shaped at both ends with agullet 216 and a flat 217 cut into the dorsal surface. The length of thebraces are adjusted to fit between the beams used as the side framemembers of building panels (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 14, 15, 16, and 17).

[0071] Also shown in FIG. 2B is a relatively rigid connector 224.Connector 224 has a lever portion 225 and a tip portion 226 at an angleto the lever portion. Both portions have a width slightly less than thewidth of slot 218. A tee portion 228 is the final part of connector 224and has two through holes 229A and 229B. An optional tapped hole 230 canbe cut at the center of the connector. A convex surface 227 between thetwo portions serves as a pivot point which rests against slot 218 as theconnector is being actuated, arrow 235 FIG. 3B.

[0072]FIG. 3B shows cross brace 214B assembled to beam 200A in the lowerpart of the figure and cross brace 214A in the process of beingassembled in the upper part of the figure. In both cases, gullet 216fits tightly and conforms to bulb 203, while flat 217 fits tightly andconforms to surface 208 as the braces are first put in place and thensecured.

[0073] Brace 214B has tee portion 228 of connector 224B aligned andfitting into a transverse slot 219 in the brace. Tip portion 226 ispushing against reaction surface 209 and clamping the shaped end ofbrace 214B against flange surface 208 of the lower channel of beam 200A.Adhesive 220 is forming an adhesive bond between gullet 216, flat 217and flange surface 208 while the assembly is secured by optional screw238 which has been moved through hole 221 and threaded into hole 230.

[0074] Adhesive 220 can be optionally placed between connector 224B andslot 218 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 3B to provide additionalanchorage. Brace 214B is adhesively and mechanically bound into thelower dovetail shaped channel. Allignment and pull out resistance areenhanced by the registration of gullet 216 to bulb 203.

[0075] Diagonal braces 64C and 64D are attached to connector 224B usingrivets 237 which pass through holes 229 and are connected to otherjoints (not shown) on the opposite side of the panel. Either or bothsides of tee portion 228 can be omitted as shown by dashed cut lines231A and 231B (FIG. 2B) to accommodate end bracing in a panel orsituations where diagonal bracing is not called for.

[0076] In the upper part of FIG. 3B, brace 214A is in process ofassembly using adhesive 220 to secure connector 224A into slot 218.Surface 227 is riding against slot 218 while tip portion 226 is movingtoward contact with reaction surface 209 of the upper dovetail shapedchannel. A beam segment 236 can be used as a load transfer memberbetween the two faces of the panel towards the center. Segment 236 hasflanges with a width less than that of slot 218 and is adhesively bondedto braces 214A and 214B with adhesive 220 in the final assembly.

[0077] Segment 236 is preferably made from a composite material forinsulating considerations. Brace 214 is preferably an aluminum extrusionto match the coefficient of expansion of an aluminum panel skin.Alternatively it can be formed from rolled steel, high temperaturecomposites or ceramics as the application requires. If it is desired toform dovetail channels 41, 51 or 207 from composite materials, clampingsystem 240 affords a means to attach many types of materials in manydifferent types of applications without direct use of fasteners passingthrough the joint.

[0078] A basic structure for both the insulating panel and the solarpanel is shown in FIG. 3A. Differences between the two types of panelsare illustrated by comparison of FIGS. 5 and 9. Beam 31A and beam 31Bform the side rails for the panels. A series of cross braces 52A, 52B,52C etc. attach to upper flanges 32 and lower flanges 42 at a series ofattachment points such as 68A, 68B etc. to create a box beam frame (notnumbered) for the basic panel.

[0079] Overlap areas 69A, and 69B show locations where a diagonal brace64A is affixed to cross braces 52A and 52C to provide stiffening. Aseries of diagonal braces 64A, 64B etc. is attached at the upper part ofthe panels and series of diagonal braces represented by brace 64C isattached at the lower parts.

[0080] The preferred method of attachment for the cross braces and thediagonal braces is adhesive bonding. Alternate methods of attachment areultrasonic welding, and fasteners such as rivets. The diagonal bracesare preferably formed from aluminum extrusions.

[0081] An insulation batt 62 is inserted after assembly of the framebetween the beams, the cross and diagonal braces. An insulation facing63 is optionally laminated to batt 62. Facing 63 is preferably afoil-scrim-kraft laminate which aids in producing a radiant barrier atthe exterior of the panel. After completion of assembly of either panel58 or 59, air is removed from by means of an air flow 81 through hole39. The air is replaced by a flow of Argon gas 66.

[0082] The preferred material for batt 62 is fiberglass. Alternativematerials are fire resistant treated waste paper or melamine foam. Theseand other fire resistant materials offer significant safety advantagesover many of the foam materials presently used in building panels, andflat roofing.

[0083] After insertion of batt 62, a tube support 65A is placed throughthe insulation between a through hole 56 that has been pre-drilled andcountersunk in each of the cross braces that the tube support spans. Ascrew 57 is placed in each of the holes and threaded into the tubesupport to secure it. A series of tube supports such as 65B connect theupper and lower cross braces in the structure and serve to distributethe exterior load from an outer skin 60 to an inside skin 61. The tubesupports are preferably made of a fiberglass composite, alternativematerials would be ceramics and wood.

[0084] An end cap 67 is inserted into the end of the panel to secure andbrace the end. The end cap consists of an end plate 67A bent around intotwo end tabs 67B. Tabs 67B have a height slightly less than the spacingbetween braces 52A and 52B. Plate 67A has a height equal to the spacingbetween braces 52A and 52B. Cap 67 is preferably formed from aluminumsheet and perimeter welded to braces 52A, 52B, and beams 31A, 31B.

[0085] Both the insulating panel and the solar panel are constructedwith outer skin 60 and inside skin 61 bonded to the cross braces and theangle I beams. To decrease thermal conductance through the panel anoptional glass tape 70 can be used between the panel frame and theskins. Tape 70 is preferably a woven glass tape coated on both sideswith a high temperature pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0086] Inside skin 61 is roll formed into a left bottom edge 61A and aright bottom edge 61B with a skin interior surface 61C being left flatfor bonding to the lower frame members. As shown in FIG. 5, edge 61A andedge 61B are ultimately formed around lower bulbs 43A and 43B. Insideskin 61 can be bonded to the lower flanges, the lower bulbs and thecross braces which it contacts using an adhesive 70A.

[0087] Similarly, outside skin 60 is roll formed into a left flap 60Aand a right flap 60B. The left and right flaps do not extend beyond bendline 60D, where an end flap 60F is located. An end gasket 60E isadhesively bonded to the end flap. An outer painted surface 60Cultimately serves as the anchorage for a capillary film 80. A preferredmethod of bonding the outside skin to the upper flanges and the crossbraces is adhesive 70A. Alternatively optional glass tape 70 can beused.

[0088] At a later point in panel assembly, the left and right flaps areformed around the upper bulbs as shown in FIG. 5. The end flap is thenbent down at line 60D and adhesively bonded to end plate 67A, (not shownafter bending). At that point, the withdrawal of air flow 81 from thepanel can be utilized to create a partial vacuum which serves to clampthe adhesively bonded skins until cure is complete.

[0089] The estimated weight of the panels is 34 kg for a 6.4 m panelmounted on 0.5 m centers, (75 lb. for a 20 foot by 18″ wide unit with athickness of 3.5″). This allows load reduction in the completed deck,during transport and in construction. The basic cost elements of thepanels; the skin layers, the insulation batt, and beams are similar tocost elements in conventional building construction. This yieldsimproved performance in energy savings at similar cost. Assembly costsare expected to be lower.

[0090]FIG. 4 shows the present invention utilized in the construction ofa light industrial building 71 with a salt box shape. A number ofgirders 72 support a south roof deck 73 and a north roof deck 74. Theroof decks are composed of a number of insulating panels 58 and solarpanels 59. End gasket 60E is shown between two panels weather-strippingthe joint between them. The drawing also shows a fire 97 which hasbroken out in the building and is emerging from the roof deck with anevolution of smoke.

[0091]FIG. 5 is a cross section through the roof showing the assemblyand utilization of solar panels 59A and 59B in roof deck 73. The panelsare mounted to girder 72A and spaced apart by the width of an interiorstrip 89A. There is a left plenum cover 48A secured to solar panel 59Ato create a left air plenum 50A and a right plenum cover 48B secured tosolar panel 59B to create right air plenum 50B. A connection boot 79Aand a connection boot 79B are enclosed by plenums 50A and 50Brespectively. A branch tee 78 enters boot 79A, boot 79B, and a T beamsupply duct 77.

[0092] The lower part of the drawing shows how inside skin 61D andinside skin 61E are bent around lower bulb 43A and lower bulb 43B infabricating the panels. Similarly, the outer skins are formed around theupper bulbs and bonded to the angle I beams with adhesive 70A. This isalso shown in FIG. 6, where outer skin 60J is formed around upper bulb33A. Optionally, outer skin 60J can be ultrasonically welded to exteriorseal surface 34A.

[0093] Two capillary films 80A and 80B are formed around the upper bulbsof the solar panels and enter the upper dovetail channels. An insulatingfilm 83 is bonded to film 80B and forms the exterior surface of thepanel. A similar insulating film, (not numbered), is bonded to film 80A.Some shading for batts 62A and 62B has been omitted to allow room fornumbering in the figure.

[0094] The exterior joint between solar panels 59A and 59B is providedaccording to U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,827 to Hartman: A flexible connector85A is shown in it's unactuated, (solid line) and actuated, (dash-dotline) positions. The flexible connector engages an exterior bracket 86with a pair of grippers 85D which snap over a connector bulb 88 as thejoint is assembled. Some preferred materials for connector 85A arepolysulfone polymers or polyetherketone polymers. A variety of othermaterials can satisfy the functional requirements for the flexibleconnectors, (see also FIG. 9).

[0095] In the actuated position, a pair of tips 85E and a pair of ridges86E on bracket 86 engage the interior surfaces of upper dovetailchannels 41. Panels 59A and 59B are locked together and a weather-stripseal is formed as a foam strip 84A is pushed against the upper bulbs. Anadhesive film 87 secures strip 84A to bracket 86. During installation, anumber of small chains 99 are hooked between the flexible connectors andthe interior strips, (FIG. 9).

[0096]FIG. 6 shows details of the films on the solar panels. Capillaryfilm 80C is shown as a sheet with a number of molded ribs 80E on it'sventral surface. The ribs are thermally bonded to outer paint surface60C in the final assembly. Insulating film 83A consists of a series ofsemicircular cells that are closed down at the ends to produce stagnantair pockets. In the assembly process, capillary film 80C is bent aroundupper bulb 33A following arrow 80D, and adhesively or thermally bondedto exterior seal surface 34A. Insulating film 83A is bonded to capillaryfilm 80C at the troughs between pockets and the ends.

[0097] An alternate capillary film 90 is a method of addressing thedeformation of ribs 80E as capillary film 80C is bent around bulb 33A.Film 90 consists of a plastic sheet 90A with a grid of risers 90B on itsventral surface for bonding to outer paint surface 60C. Risers 90B canbe printed onto plastic sheet 90A using a high build polymer resinapplied with stencil printing equipment. Alternatively, they can bethermoformed into plastic sheet 90A or produced using a variety of othertechniques. A variety of other riser shapes can be used with thissystem. It is not desired to limit the invention to the squares shown.

[0098] The capillary films and insulating films are preferably producedfrom polyvinylidene fluoride,(PVDF), with outer painted surface 60Cproduced from a commercially available PVDF based paint. Alternateswould include polyurethane films bonded to a polyurethane paint system,acrylics or polycarbonates.

OPERATION—FIGS. 5 AND 6

[0099]FIGS. 5 and 6 demonstrate the operation of solar panels 59installed in roof deck 73 for thermal collection purposes. They alsoillustrate the utilization of the panels in general heat exchangeapplications such as night sky cooling.

[0100] In a heating mode of operation: A cold air flow 81A is shownpassing through the T beam supply duct and splitting into an air flow81B which enters branch tee 78. Air flow 81B splits again into air flow81C, which enters boot 79A, boot 79B, plenum 50A, and plenum 50B.

[0101] An air flow 81D passes through manifold holes 38A in the upperangle of panel 59A and subsequently through capillary film 80A at theexterior of the structure. It is warmed by sunlight 76 impinging on theinsulating film and becomes a warm air flow 82A moving through thecapillary film.

[0102] Similarly, an air flow 81E passes through manifold holes 38B inthe upper angle of panel 59B and subsequently through film 80B. Itbecomes a warm air flow 82B moving through the capillary film. Both flow82A and flow 82B return to the next panel joints, which return air tothe heating system.

[0103] The films, ribs, semicircular cells, and risers in the drawingsare shown enlarged for the purpose of illustration. It is desirable tohave a thin gap between the capillary film and the outer paint surfaceto increase air velocity and the heat transfer rate.

[0104] The use of Argon gas 66 generates a 40-45% insulation improvementover conventional fiberglass/air systems. Estimated domestic energysavings from insulation improvements are estimated at 98 petrajoules,(93 trillion Btu), in year 12 and 171 petrajoules, (162 trillion Btu),in year 20. (Based on growth to 15% of non-residential construction inyear 20).

[0105] A mathematical model developed for the solar panels over theheating season in Boston, Massachusetts gave the following results:Collector efficiencies ranged from 29% in December to 49% in April. Thecollectors provided between 107% and 442% of the monthly heat demand ofthe HVAC system. For a 465 m², (5000 square foot), building, heatingsavings averaged $133/month compared to a typical air source heat pumpin a conventional metal building.

[0106] In a cooling mode of operation: The radiant heat losses to thenight sky can be used to cool a thermal reservoir and/or serve as theheat sink to a heat pump (see also FIG. 20). The flow arrows in thediagram remain the same with the exception that air flow 81A becomes awarm air flow that is cooled by radiant and convective heat losses tobecome cool air flows 82A and 82B returning to the HVAC system. Inregions where building cooling is the primary need, the insulating filmcan be omitted in the panel assembly as it would inhibit heat lossesfrom the solar collector panels.

[0107]FIG. 5 also shows the unactuated state of a fire safety system 75discussed in detail in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 7 AND 8

[0108]FIGS. 7 and 8 show an alternate embodiment of the invention in theform of a relatively rigid connector system 118 for structurallysecuring components. FIG. 7 illustrates the assembled connector system.FIG. 8 is a pre-assembly isometric of the components. Generic solar orinsulating panels in the assembly are represented by beams 31C and 31Dthat have inside skins 61F and 61G formed around lower bulbs 43C and43D. These are attached to girder 72B which consists of a beam flange72C and a beam web 72D.

[0109] A relatively rigid connector 91 has a major arch portion 91F thatcontinues into two minor arched portions 91B and ends at two rounded tipportions 91C. Connector 91 is shown with a length approximately equal tothe width of girder 72B. A structural bracket 92 works with connector 91to clamp and secure beams 31C and 31D to each other and to flange 72C.

[0110] A pair of punched apertures 91D in the rigid connector and a pairof bracket holes 92A in the structural bracket allow passage of carriagebolts 93 and 93A through the connector system. A pair of elongated holes72E and 72F in beam flange 72C serve as attachment points to thebuilding frame. The roof deck is assembled to the girders using a flatwasher 95, a lock washer 96 and a nut 94 that is tightened from theinside of the building to slightly flatten unactuated shape 91A (FIG. 8)to the actuated shape of rigid connector 91 seen in FIG. 7.

[0111] A lower bracket surface 92D is flush against beam flange 72C inthe completed assembly. An upper bracket surface 92B serves to resistand deflect movement of the minor arched portions during actuation tolock tip portions 91C into engagment with lower angles 46C and 46D. InFIG. 7, a pair of bracket ends 92C engage lower bulbs 43C and 43D tosecure the panels, resist lateral movement, and wind uplift of the roofdeck. Major arch portion 91F in the actuated shape maintains about 60%or more of the height that it had above upper bracket surface 92B in itsunactuated shape. In the relatively rigid connector system, the widthchange on actuation from tip portion 92C at the right to tip portion 92Cat the left does not change to the extent that flexible connector 85Adoes, (reference FIG. 5 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,827).

[0112] If it is desired to allow for some movement of roof deck to allowfor thermal expansion perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 7, a very smallclearance between the actuated position of the assembled rigid connectorsystem and the lower dovetail channels can be designed into theassembly.

[0113] The preferred materials for the rigid connectors and thestructural bracket are aluminum extrusions where the angle I beams arecomposed of aluminum. Other suitable materials would be steel, springsteel and reinforced composites. The most common material used in thegirders is steel. Holes 72E, and 72F can be cut into existing or newbeams using a portable hydraulic punch system, (not shown).

[0114] An alternate construction of the present invention would use bothan elongated rigid connector 91A and an elongated structural bracket 92containing four sets of holes for the carriage bolts. Two carriage boltswould engage beam flange 72C and two carriage bolts would serve tosecure the connection between the panels outside the width of the beam.

[0115] The combination of using the angle I beams to replace purlins andthe relatively rigid connector system 118 allows for material costsavings in the construction of a commercial or light industrialbuilding. Labor cost reductions obtained through use of the system arediscussed with FIGS. 11 to 14.

[0116] The flexible connectors, (FIG. 5), allow for expansion andcontraction of the roof deck in a direction perpendicular to the angle Ibeams. The rigid connector system can allow for expansion andcontraction parallel to the angle I beams. Problems with expansion andcontraction of roof decks are one of the key causes of leakage andcomplaints for prior art roofing systems.

[0117] It is not desired to limit the relatively rigid connector systemto the specific application described here. The relatively rigidconnector system can be used to clamp a variety of components inhousings, as a removable assembly (as shown here) or used in conjunctionwith adhesives (not shown) to form permanent assemblies.

[0118] This capability is not strictly limited to dovetail shapedchannels as the clamping action entails tip portion 91B working againstinterior connector surface 44 (FIG. 1) to maintain a normal forcebetween bracket 92 and interior shelf surface 45. The basic action ofconnector system 118 involves the tip portion of the rigid connectorworking against one surface of a housing opposed to a second surfacethat is roughly congruent to the mating surface of the clampedcomponent.

OPERATION—FIGS. 4, 5 AND 9

[0119] An alternate embodiment of the invention relating to a buildingfire safety system 75 is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 9. The central featureof the system revolves around flexible connector 85A being produced froma thermoplastic material that will deform and release in the extremetemperatures of a fire but not during normal operation.

[0120]FIG. 5 shows the fire safety system assembled and in place beforea fire. FIG. 9 shows the altered structure and action of the fire safetysystem during fire 97 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 depicts a connectionbetween two solar panels, while FIG. 9 depicts a connection betweeninsulating panels 58C and 58D. The fire safety system can be utilizedwith a variety of different types of panels.

[0121] As described earlier, flexible connector 85A is attached toexterior bracket 86 by means of a pair of grippers 85D which engageconnector bulb 88.

[0122] Wavy arrows indicate heat 98 rising from the interior to actuatethe fire safety system As shown in FIG. 9, the heat has caused adeformation of the shape of interior strip 89A to the shape of interiorstrip 89B. The concave edges shown in FIG. 5 have melted and releasedthe interior strip from the space between the lower bulbs. Strip 89B isfalling under the influence of gravity, vector 101, and has opened aspace between panels 58C and 58D. The heat is propagating between theangle I beams and softened/deformed flexible connector 85B. Strip 89B isshown pulling connector 85B downward by means of chain 99.

[0123] In FIG. 9, grippers 85C have released from connector bulb 88B.Heat impinging on the aluminum exterior bracket has melted and shrunk afoam strip similar in shape to 84A to the shape of foam strip 84B,releasing the exterior weather-strip seal. The configuration of system75 can be arranged to hold the frangible components of the roof deckcaptive to prevent debris falling from the roof during the fire.

[0124]FIG. 9 occurs later in the fire relative to the time frame of FIG.4, where flame and smoke have appeared on the roof in the area of thefire. In FIG. 9, fire fighters (not shown) have arrived, identified thearea of the fire, and are spraying the fire with water 100. The waterhas run down the roof deck, is moving through the space between panels58C, and 58D, and is entering the building in the area of the fire. Asthe panels are mounted horizontally across the roof deck, the areacorresponding to heat release is the same area that will receive thebulk of the water applied by fire fighters.

[0125] In a conventional metal building, particularly a sloped roof‘systems’ building, fire fighters ordinarily have a difficult timelocating a fire. They often have to cut a hole in the roof to put wateron the fire. Very often, the interior of the building has alreadyflashed over because heat and smoke are contained by the metal roofingsystem and fiberglass insulation. Low cost fiberglass insulation can bea source of significant smoke if binder content is high.

[0126] Fire safety system 75 provides means to detect the location of afire, to release heat/smoke from the building and to aid fire fightingwhile reducing personal hazard to the occupants and the fire fighters.

DESCRIPTION/ASSEMBLY—FIGS. 10 TO 13

[0127]FIG. 10 details an air distribution assembly 145 consisting ofbranch tee 78A, connection boot 79C, plenum covers 48C and 48H, a supplyduct 77S, a return duct 77R, a duct aperture 77C and a tee aperture102A. FIGS. 11 through 13 describe the sequence of assembly of a typicalembodiment of the invention, a commercial building 148 with daylighting,(also described in FIGS. 14-20).

[0128] The branch tee has a main portion 78B and a branch portion 78Cwhich distributes flow to two connection boots, (only one is shown inFIG. 10). It is preferably formed from sheet metal and extends down totwo snap tabs 78D which secure the branch tee in supply duct 77S byinsertion into duct aperture 77C.

[0129] The supply duct consists of an outer duct section 77A and aninner duct section 77B which is secured to girder 72G. The two ductsections are shown assembled using conventional sheet metal snap seams.Duct aperture 77C lies outside the edge of the flange of girder 72G. Tee78A would be inserted into aperture 77C after the structural connectionbetween panels was established, (see FIGS. 7-8 and 11-13). Thestructural connections to the beam and the panels themselves have beenomitted in this drawing to clearly illustrate the air distributionassembly.

[0130] Return duct 77R is mounted on the far side of girder 72G andcarries a perforation for a duct aperture 77D which has not been openedby the installer. At the next joint between panels, the next ductaperture in return duct 77R will be used to pipe return air back to theHVAC system.

[0131] As tee 78A is placed into duct aperture 77C, branch portion 78Cis pushed into tee aperture 102A and the corresponding tee aperture inthe connection boot nearest the observer, (not shown in order to providea clear illustration). Dashed aperture 102B indicates the position ofthe tee aperture if the viewed air distribution assembly was being usedfor return air.

[0132] Plenum covers 48C and 48H are placed over the upper and lowerangles of appropriate panels, (not shown) and contain/seal the ends ofboot 79C. In the completed assembly 145, supply air from duct 77S willpass through the branch tee into a lumen 103 at the interior of theconnection boot and into the corresponding air plenum as illustrated inFIG. 5.

[0133] Tee 78A is preferably made from sheet metal. Alternate materialswould be rubber, blow molded or injection molded thermoplastics. Boot79C is preferably made from rubber, an alternate material would be athermoplastic elastomer extrusion. Supply duct 77S and return duct 77Rare preferably made from sheet metal. Acceptable alternate materialswould be fire retardant composites.

[0134] The sequence of assembly for the air distribution assembly wouldbe to install the connection boots and plenum covers after thestructural connections shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The supply and returnducts as well as the branch tees could be installed before the actionsshown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0135] An alternate configuration 145′ of assembly 145 would employ anelbow 78L to utilize and connect aperture 102B to aperture 77D. At eachpanel joint, a second elbow, (not shown) would connect duct aperture 77Cwith the corresponding tee aperture closes the observer, (not shown).The alternate configuration would produce air flows up the roof deckthrough the capillary films in all the solar panels. Each panel jointwould contain a supply and a return connection going to the supply andreturn ducts.

[0136]FIGS. 11 through 13 show the installation sequence common to theradially expandable edge connector system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,827 andthe rigid connector system described in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIGS. 11 through13 also introduce parts used in FIGS. 14 through 20. They show astructure without the fire safety features of FIGS. 5 and 9 and an Ibeam girder 108 instead of tee beam girder 72 shown earlier. The figuresdemonstrate the general applicability of the angle I beam based panelsand the air distribution system to a variety of connector types andbuilding frames.

[0137]FIG. 11 looks down the roof slope toward two solar panels 59C and59D that have been assembled earlier. The next panel 59E that will runacross girder 108 has not as yet been placed. Structural bracket 92F isfirst placed on girder 108 followed by rigid connector 91E and carriagebolts 93B and 93C. As panel 59E is placed across girder 108, thestructural bracket serves to establish proper spacing on the roof asbracket sides 92E, (FIG. 8), butt against the lower bulbs of solarpanels 59C, 59D, and 59E, (FIG. 12).

[0138] As panels 59C and 59D are pushed toward one another, arrows 104,end gasket 60E forms a seal between the panels. The rigid connector isthen actuated by tightening bolts 93B and 93C to establish theconnection between the panels and the building frame.

[0139] The weather-strip/outside connection can then be assembled byfirst sliding exterior bracket 109B through the space between upperangles 36E and 36D into upper dovetail channel 41B. Exterior bracket109B is then rotated, arrow 110, into position to span channels 41A and41B.

[0140] Covers 48E and 48F are then installed. Bracket 109B has anexterior bracket seal 109A and a pair of screw ledges 109C. A flexconnector 111 is then assembled to bracket 109B using a series of selftapping screws 112 driven by a nut driver extension 113 and a portabledrill 116. On completion of the joint according to U.S. Pat. No.5,134,827, seal 109A is pushed against upper bulbs 33E and 33D toweather-strip the joint. Final steps in the joint assembly are placementof an insulation batt 115 into the space between the panels and lockingan inside strip 114 into place as the interior facing of the joint.

[0141] At a later point in the building assembly, duct sections 77E and77F can be attached to girder 108 by means of bolts 107. Dashed ductsection 77G is shown before (dashed) and after (solid) it has beensnapped onto duct section 77F. A decorative duct cover 105 is snappedarrow 106, over the supply/return ducts and beam 108 to provide aninterior surface in the completed building.

[0142] Brackets 109B, and 109D are preferably formed from the samematerials as exterior bracket 86. Flex connectors 111 and 111A arepreferably formed as flexible composites produced using resins such asthe newer thermoset urethanes produced by several manufacturers.Alternative materials would include fairly rigid thermoplasticelastomers or filled thermoplastic extrusions.

[0143] A conventional metal building is assembled in a series of passesacross the roof deck. Some of these are: 1) attachment of purlins, 2)insulation rollout, 3) insulation stapling, 4) attachment of corrugatedsheets, 5) sealing of standing seam or corrugated overlap joint, and 6)perimeter sealing. The present invention appears to be capable ofassembly in one or perhaps two passes across the roof deck, allowing forconsiderable labor savings and profit improvement for the contractor.Because most of the work can be done from a lift platform inside thebuilding, further improvements in crew safety and productivity can beexpected compared to conventional operations conducted from outside theroof deck.

DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 14 THROUGH 18

[0144]FIGS. 14 through 18 depict an alternate embodiment of theinvention in the form of a daylighting panel 141 installed in commercialbuilding 148. Panel 141 is assembled from four angle I beams 121 and121A as shown in FIG. 14. A series of cross braces 52D, 52E, 52F, etc isused to assemble the panel frame in the same way that panels wereassembled in FIG. 3A. Brace 52F is shown in FIG. 15 but omitted fromFIG. 14.

[0145] Beam 121 has an outside flange 122 and an inside flange 137connected by a central web 127. A connector angle 124 and a bracketangle 125 branch off the central web near the outside flange. Aconnector angle 134 and a bracket angle 135 branch off the central webnear the inside flange. A series of louvers 131 are suspended between apair of pivot guides 138 and 138A when the daylighting panel isinstalled in a commercial roof deck 142.

[0146] Periodic cooling holes 128 and 128A, (FIG. 17), are drilledthrough central web 127. The daylighting panels are fitted with plenumcovers 48G, and 48H which fit over connector angles 124 and 134 to formplenums such 50C, and 50G. These plenums are fed by the air distributionassembly of FIGS. 5 and 10.

[0147] Louvers 131 each have an extruded shape consisting of an uppertube 131A, a reflective face 131B and a lower tube 131C. In the area ofthe pivot guides, face 131B is removed to form posts out of the tubes131A and 131B. As seen in FIG. 15, guide 138 is a Z shaped extrusionwith a pivot face 138C bending through the Z shape into an anchor ledge126 that locks into the space between angle 125 and flange 122. A seriesof guide holes 138B serve as the mounting point for the tubes 131A.

[0148] On one side of panel 141, a movable glide 132 is mounted betweenbrace 52F and angle 135 in an inside channel 136. Inside channel 136 isformed by angle 135, web 127 and flange 137. A glide ledge 132D iscontained but free to move along axis 140. Glide 132 has a toothedaperture 132B that engages a pinion shaft 129A from a stepper motordrive 129. Lower tubes 131C of the louvers can be positioned by a seriesof slots 132C cut into the medial portion of glide 132.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 14, the daylighting panel is assembled by takingthe frame with installed louvers and louver adjusting system andattaching an outside glazing 120 and an interior glazing 130. An endplate 139 is inserted between the central webs of the four angle I beamsand attached to the central webs and the cross braces.

[0150] Glazing 130 is thermoformed to create a left tab 130A and a righttab 130B that extend to an interior bend line 130C. A lower end tab 130Dis bent at bend line 130C to cover the assembled end plate 139 and isadhesively bonded to it in the completed panel. Glazing 130 is formedaround an inside bulb 133 carried on the inside flange of the four angleI beam as illustrated with interior glazing 130E in FIG. 17.

[0151] Glazing 120 is thermoformed to create a left side tab 120A and aright side tab 120B that extend to a bend line 120C. An end tab 120D isbent at line 120C to cover tab 130D and is adhesively bonded to it inthe completed panel. Glazing 120E is formed around the outside bulb(FIG. 17). A preferred material for both glazing 120 and glazing 130 ispolycarbonate sheet stock between 1.5 and 8 mm thick. An alternativematerial is acrylic sheet of similar thickness.

[0152]FIG. 16 is an interior elevation of commercial roof deck 142 andcommercial building 148. The roof deck contains solar panels such as 59Fand 59G as well as daylighting panels such as 141A. Vertical wall 143can be produced using either masonry construction or metal systemmethods. Windows and doors can also be included, (not shown). Amerchandise display unit 146 is shown on the floor with an interiorlight sensor 147 mounted to it that can be used as part of the controlsystem, (FIGS. 19-20).

[0153] Alternating air distribution assemblies such as 145S and 145Rfeed air to the panels and return it to the HVAC system. Duct covers105A and 105B conceal vertical plenums 144A, 144B and 144C which connectto the air distribution assemblies.

[0154] Plenum 50F in solar panel 59F is formed by cover 48J assembledover the upper angle and the lower angle of the angle I beam. In theassembled construction as shown, insulation batt 115A fills the spacebetween the two panels. Exterior bracket 109D with exterior bracket seal109G provide the weather strip seal between the panels in the completedjoint formed using flex connector 111A and self drilling screw 112A. Theinterior trim is provided by inside strip 114A.

[0155]FIG. 18 is a plan view of commercial building 148 located on aparking lot site 149. An exterior sensor 150A is mounted at the peak ofthe roof. Two other exterior sensors 150B and 150C are mounted atoplight posts in the parking area. Shadow 151 denotes the position of acloud. The motion of shadow 151 is indicated by arrow 152 and can betracked by the exterior sensors which feed information to a daylightingcontrol system (FIG. 19).

OPERATION—FIGS. 14 THROUGH 18

[0156]FIG. 17 shows the operation of the daylighting panels in roof deck142. A connection between daylighting panel 141A and solar panel 59F isdetailed. The same air distribution system that allows for solarcollection enables removal of excess heat from the daylighting panels.

[0157] Holes 128 and 128A meter and distribute air flow 81G from theplenum into the interior of the daylighting panel. Air flow 81F throughmanifold holes 38C in solar panel 59F is heated in the capillary film tobecome warm air flow 82F.

[0158] Movable glides 132 and 132E are driven by stepper motors 129 toarrive at proper positioning for lighting control. The louvers have adiffusely reflective surface that will scatter light back towards theexterior as they are closed down by moving the angle between the louversand the four angle I beam away from 90 degrees and toward 180 degrees.

[0159] Ledge 132D is secured by and moves between bracket angle 135 andperiodic cross braces such as 52F along axis 140. In simpler and lowercost panels that might be used for greenhouses, stepper motors 129 couldbe replaced by alternative gearboxes 119, (FIG. 14), to position thelouvers manually using a hand crank with a hook (not shown).

[0160] It is anticipated that between one fourth and one eighth of thearea of commercial roof deck 142 should have daylighting panelsinstalled to satisfy lighting needs of the commercial building. As thedynamic range of natural light available is quite large, the need forsignificant light damping by louvers 131 and 131D occurs on brighterdays. Heat dissipation can be accomplished through air flows such as 81Gthrough the daylighting panels. This heat capture can be used elsewherein a DSM energy system.

[0161] During evening hours, louvers 131 can be substantially closedagainst one another to limit heat transfer by convection. Louvers 131are preferably produced from foamed, extruded thermoplastics furtheraiding night insulation. At night, the diffuse reflectance of thelouvers will aid in keeping artificial light in the building and cuttingcosts. Based on the model of a 465 m², (5000 square foot), building inBoston, monthly daylighting savings from the invention estimated at $240are obtained over the heating season.

[0162] The present invention affords a practical, easy to use system forincorporating daylighting panels into a roof deck, for dealing with heatbuildup and loss, and providing a modem actuator system for daylightingcontrol, (see FIG. 19.) The daylighting panels can also be utilized in avariety of structures that include but are not limited to: greenhouses,solariums, porch additions, and transit stops.

[0163] Periodic cooling holes 128 cut through the web of the angle Ibeams or the four angle I beams permit internal heat exchange flowsthrough panels. The holes 239 shown in FIG. 3B, cut through the web inthe area of the dovetail channels can also be utilized in this manner.It is not desired to limit the applicability of the present invention toonly daylighting panels. Flows to the interior of panels from plenums 50formed from angle I beams can provide heat exchange capability to avariety of applications: These include but are not limited to panels forheat storage tanks (FIG. 20), solar photovoltaic panels, solar thermalpanels without Argon insulation, and heated commodity storage tanks,(not shown).

[0164] In cases where heat flow is extreme, flows inside the panels canbe combined with flows outside the panels as shown in FIG. 5 and in U.S.Pat. No. 5,134,827. Nothing restricts the use of external heat exchangecapability (invention shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 10, 16, 17, 20) in conjuctionwith internal heat exchange capability (invention shown in FIGS. 2, 10,16, 17) within the same panel. Such a combination would be particularlyuseful in panels used in capturing concentrated solar energy; such asthose used in solar thermal power plants and high flux concentratingphotovoltaics.(not shown)

DAYLIGHTING SYSTEM OPERATION—FIG. 19

[0165]FIG. 19 illustrates an additional embodiment of the invention inthe form of a lighting control system 161. System 161 is represented bya block diagram for control. Operation of daylighting in the commercialbuilding is most efficiently implemented through the use of a moderncomputerized control system. (Text has been used in the figure torepresent a standard block diagram)

[0166] A daylighting plant consisting of daylighting panels 141, steppermotors 129 and motor drivers (not shown) modulates the ambient exteriorlight, disturbance d, consisting of sunlight 76 and shadow 151. Exteriorsensors such as 150A, 150B, and 150C monitor the exterior light leveland the speed, direction and frequency of cloud motion at the site. Datafrom the exterior sensors is fed to a multiple input, multiple outputMIMO lighting control and to a comparator module.

[0167] An interior sensor system consists of an array of interior lightsensors 147 and signal conditioning and processing elements, (notshown). The total light from the daylighting plant and an electricallighting plant is averaged by the interior sensor system. The electricallighting plant consists of luminaires such as 160A, and 160B, lamp powersupplies, wiring, and fusing/disconnects, (not shown).

[0168] The projected output of the electrical lighting plant isestimated by an electrical lighting performance model. The performancemodel will take the output of the MIMO lighting control to theelectrical lighting plant and introduce delays due to actuation timesand decline in luminaire performance due to bulb efficiency drops toarrive at the present projected output of the electrical lighting plant.

[0169] The projected output of the electrical lighting plant issubtracted from the total interior light detected by the interior sensorsystem to arrive at a feedback signal for daylighting contribution tothe interior lighting. Both the projected output and the feedback signalare subtracted from a setpoint lighting reference r to provide a controlerror signal to the comparator.

[0170] The comparator module receives an error signal, data fromexterior sensors, and data from a solar model. The solar model providestime based information relating to theoretical sunlight intensity,historic cloudiness, and projections for short term exterior lightinsolation based on up to date weather information. The comparatormodule provides two outputs to the MIMO lighting control, onerepresenting the daylighting error and another representing anelectrical lighting error. A preferred form for the comparator module isa fuzzy logic software system.

[0171] The MIMO lighting control has inputs from the exterior sensors,and the comparator. It has outputs to the electrical lighting plant, thedaylighting plant, and the performance model. A preferred form for theMIMO lighting control is an adaptive control system that attempts tominimize electrical lighting plant control action and maximize energysavings through use of a cost function.

[0172] The daylighting control system provides a convenient means tomaintain a desired lighting level in a commercial or light industrialbuilding. It allows for a smooth daylighting environment and excellentcost savings when used with high efficiency electrical lighting such asmetal halide.

DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM—FIG. 20

[0173]FIG. 20 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention in theform of a demand side management, DSM system 180. FIG. 20 is a processand instrument drawing, P&ID, showing the integration of thedaylighting, solar and insulating panels as part of the DSM system forconservation of costs and resources in a building 178. The DSM systemcan be used in both a heating mode of operation and a cooling mode ofoperation.

[0174] The DSM system has two process loops. An energy exchange loop 181circulates air through a collector array 59N and a heat transfer jacket172J on a thermal storage tank 172 by means of a collector blower 171.An hvac loop 182 uses a pump 175 to circulate water through a watersource heat pump 176 which provides space heating and cooling for thebuilding.

[0175] The collector blower is preferably a variable speed unitcontrolled by a speed controller SC171. The speed controller functionsto maintain a desired temperature in a process air flow 82N returningfrom collector array 59N to the suction side of the collector blower. Athermocouple TE82 immersed in process air flow 82N supplies atemperature input to speed controller SC171.

[0176] Thermal storage tank 172 is filled with water 100A which is incontact with heat transfer jacket 172J. Process air flow 82N from thedischarge of blower 171 is conditioned by water 100A and becomes supplyair flow 81N which is fed to the collector array through a roof decksupply system 173S. In the heating mode of the system, supply air flow81N is heated by solar insolation 76A.

[0177] Thermal storage tank 172 can be a conventional rolled steel tankwith a welded or mechanically attached heat transfer jacket 172J.Alternatively, it can be produced by assembly of modular heat exchangepanels (not shown) according to the present invention and/or U.S. Pat.No. 5,134,827.

[0178] A preferred method for building the modular panels would utilizeflange 32T, bulbs 33T, slots 33S and holes 38T shown in FIG. 2 anddisussed in Operation FIGS. 14 through 18. The modular panels would befabricated and connected similarly to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10-13with the exception that the capillary films, insulating films, andconnection to the building frame would be omitted. Interior air flowwould occur between exterior skin 60 and facing 63, supplied throughthermal slots 33S.

[0179] In the cooling mode of the system, supply air flow 81N is cooledby radiation losses to the night sky/convection losses to the ambientair 179. Process air flow 82N returns from the collector array by meansof a roof deck return system 173R. Both the roof deck supply system andthe roof deck return system contain the mechanical components of airdistribution assembly 145 as well as vertical plenums 144 and other ductwork necessary to connect the components shown in FIG. 20.

[0180] Water 100A from thermal storage tank 172 or an alternate watersource 100B is selected by positioning of a suction three way valve 174as the feed stream to pump 175. Control of a discharge three way valve177 is slaved to the positioning of valve 174. When water 100A is thefeed to pump 175, valve 177 is positioned to a return water flow 100C.When water flow 100B is the feed to pump 175, valve 177 is positioned toan alternate return water flow 100D

[0181] A rough schematic of water source heat pump 176 has been providedto show the operation of hvac loop 182. It does not include reversingvalves and many other detailed components and controls specific to anyparticular manufacturer of heat pumps of this nature. Heat pump 176takes a building return air flow 178R, heats or cools it using an airhandling coil 176A, and a heat pump blower 176B to produce a buildingsupply air flow 178S.

[0182] A discharge flow 100E of pump 175 passes through one side of aliquid heat exchanger 176H while a refrigerant flow 176R from acompressor 176C passes through the other side of exchanger 176H, andcoil 176A. Although the figure shows the water flow through the tubeside of exchanger 176H, it is not desired to limit the invention to aparticular exchanger piping arrangement. In the heating mode of hvacloop 182, the water is the heat source for heat pump 176. In the coolingmode of the hvac loop, the water is the heat sink for the heat pump.

[0183] The temperature of the building is measured by temperatureelement TE142 and controlled using temperature indicating controllerTIC142. The preferred form of temperature indicating controller TIC142from a operational cost standpoint is a computer control system.Alternatively, the temperature indicating controller can be a simplethermostat controller.

[0184] The temperature indicating controller can optionally output adata stream (dash dot line) to speed controller SC171. Other optionalinputs to the speed controller are a signal from a tank temperatureelement TE172, an exterior temperature element TE179 and a light sensorAE147 measuring an interior light level 76B. Operation of energyexchange loop 181 can thus be optimized for maximum efficiency ofoperation and coordination with the demand generated by the hvac loopand lighting control system 161.

[0185] The choice of alternate water source 100B would be made by thedesign group for the building from a variety of options that include butare not limited to; a ground water source, a closed loop groundcirculation system, a natural gas, fuel oil or propane heated watertank, a cooling tower or other evaporative cooler loop, an electricallyheated water tank, a process heat recovery loop, a surface water source,a wind driven fluid friction heat source, a water loop heated by a fire,a water loop cooled by a wind system as the prime mover, or aventilation heat recovery loop.

[0186] DSM system 180 also affords the opportunity to utilize thecapability of insulating panels 58 and solar panels 59 to cut buildingcooling costs through the use of radiation losses to the nightsky/convection losses to the ambient air 179. Prior art systems oftenaccomplish this objective through the use of costly and corrosiveadsorbent chemicals. Most areas with abundant solar resources requirecooling capabilities. Off peak time electrical usage and the capabilityto add modules to the basic P&ID of FIG. 20 for ice storage areadditional advantages of the DSM system.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

[0187] My invention provides for a low cost installation and lowoperating costs by using a single building mechanical system for spaceheating and cooling that utilizes both renewable and conventional energysources. Demand side management energy savings from improved insulation,daylighting, space heating, and cooling on the order of 187 petrajoules,(177 trillion Btu), in year 12 and 326 petrajoules, (309 trillion Btu),in year 20 are possible with the system, with similar reduced pollutantreleases

[0188] The heat produced by the solar panels and stored in tank 172could alternately be used in conjunction with commercially availablesolid state thermal electric generators (not shown) to provideelectrical power at the site. This could provide night power forlighting, refrigeration equipment, charging of electric vehicles, andother applications. Another potential use of the heat would be toproduce power through the vaporization of a low boiling point workingfluid and expansion through a turbine, (not shown) The stack draftgenerated by the solar panels and air distribution assembly can be thesource of a variety of ventilation applications.

[0189] Beyond operating cost savings, the system offers attractiveincentives to both the commercial building owner and the buildingcontractor in the form of higher profitability. It affords the users ofthe building a more pleasant working and shopping environment throughthe use of daylighting systems.

[0190] The fire safety features of the invention allow for an improvedbuilding that resists flashover for a longer period of time by releasingheat from the building. While not mentioned in the specifications, theheat exchange capability of the roof deck and the energy storage systemshown in FIG. 20 could be used to resist a nearby forest fire orbuilding fire from spreading to the protected building. The capabilityto show the location of a fire inside the building and facilitate firefighting efforts is an important pair of tools in reducing buildingdamage and loss of life in metal building fires.

[0191] By providing a secure structural connection to the building frameand a continuous mechanical joint between panels, the inventiondistributes the localized stresses that are often seen in conventionalmetal building roofs. This should reduce the impact of disasters such ashurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes on the building and occupants. Thecontinuous joint and distribution of stress in the assembly should alsoproduce improvements in leak tightness of the building.

[0192] In looking at other potential applications for both the angle Ibeams and the rigid connector system of the invention, there are avariety of energy savings options in transportation and advantages indisaster preparedness that can be gained. Constraints on the length ofthe patent and number of drawings have precluded description of numerousadvantages from use of the invention in developing countries.

[0193] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by theclaims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

I claim:
 1. A structural beam elongated in a first direction and havinga transverse cross section comprising: two flanges joined by a web, saidweb being substantially perpendicular to said flanges and joining saidflanges roughly at a central point, and at least two angle sections,each said angle section attached to said web near one of said flangesand having a free end, forming an acute angle to the portion of said webclosest to said near flange; said web, said near flange, and each ofsaid at least two angle sections forming a roughly dovetail shapedchannel with an aperture opening into an interior cavity with a flangesurface on one side, an opposed surface diverging from said flangesurface on the other side and having a bottom section facing saidaperture and connecting said flange surface with said opposed surface;2. The beam of claim 1, further including bulb enlargements at the edgesof said flanges.
 3. The beam of claim 1, wherein said flanges, saidbottom section and said angle sections are composed a first material andsaid web is composed of a second material, further including mountingmeans for securing said flanges, said bottom section and said anglesections to said web.
 4. The beam of claim 3, wherein said firstmaterial comprises an aluminum extrusion and said second materialcomprises a composite having fibrous reinforcement bonded to a thermosetresin matrix.
 5. The beam of claim 1, said beam comprising at least twospaced apart, side rails of an openwork frame, said at least two anglesections of each beam positioned on one side of said web and each pairof said at least two angle sections pointed away from the pair of saidat least two angle sections situated on the adjacent side rail, eachsaid openwork frame further including; a) a plurality of cross membersof a length somewhat less than the span between the webs of said siderails, said cross members attached to the flanges of said at least twoside rails, and b) attachment means for securing said cross members tosaid flanges, whereby, a large variety of complex structures can beproduced from said structural beam.
 6. The openwork frame of claim 5,said frame having two of said spaced apart side rails of equal length inparallel orientation to one another, and having an exterior plane and aninterior plane, with a first set of said flanges and said cross membersbeing coplanar with said exterior plane and a second set of said flangesand said cross members being coplanar with said interior plane, saidopenwork frame further including; a) a pair of end plates, each of saidend plates attached to said side rails at one end of said openworkframe, said end plates having face surfaces that largely fill the areabetween said side rails and lie perpendicular to said side rails andsaid exterior and interior planes, b) an interior skin, said interiorskin covering said second set of flanges and cross members andadditionally wrapped around the edges of said second set of flanges andbent to cover said face surfaces of said end plates, said interior skinat least partly bonded to said second set of flanges and cross membersand said face surfaces, and c) an exterior skin, said interior skincovering said first set of flanges and cross members and additionallywrapped around the edges of said first set of flanges and bent to coverat least part of said interior skin in the area of said face surfaces,said exterior skin at least partly bonded to said first set of flangesand cross members and said interior skin in the area of said facesurfaces, d) said openwork frame, said pair of end plates, said interiorskin, and said exterior skin comprising a building panel, said buildingpanel further including energy conservation means for controlling theflow of energy, whereby; said building panel can be utilized in avariety of demand side management energy conservation strategies and beassembled in configurations suited to many different structures.
 7. Thebuilding panel of claim 6, said building panel having a lengthsubstantially equal to a small nonzero integer multiplier of the spacingbetween a series of building frame members, with a plurality of saidbuilding panels comprising a sheathing assembly, the ends of saidbuilding panels meeting one another adjacent to said building framemembers in one dimension of said sheathing assembly, and the side railsof said building panels spaced apart from one another by a predeterminedgap in a second dimension of said sheathing assembly, said sheathingassembly further including; a) an exterior connector means forweather-stripping and mechanically connecting said building panelsacross said predetermined gap, said exterior connector means engagingtwo of said roughly dovetail shaped channels that are adjacent to oneanother when said sheathing assembly is completed, b) a buildingconnector means for structurally connecting said building panels to oneanother and additionally connecting said building panels to saidbuilding frame members in the area where said building panels cross saidbuilding frame members, said building connector means being positionedat said predetermined gap and engaging two of said roughly dovetailshaped channels that are adjacent to one another when said sheathingassembly is completed, c) a sealing means for weather-stripping thejoint between the ends of said building panels, said sealing meanspositioned between the ends of adjacent building panels and somewhatcompressed by said building panels when said sheathing assembly iscompleted, and d) specialized connector means for connecting saidbuilding panels to a specialized building component such as a first orlast member of said series of building frame members, an eave joint, ora door frame, whereby; said sheathing assembly can serve as a roof deck,wall section, or other structural assembly while providing foreconomical, modular field assembly and energy savings during it's usefullifetime.
 8. The sheathing assembly of claim 7, wherein said buildingconnector means comprises; a) at least one relatively rigid connector,having a curved unactuated shape and a slightly flattened actuatedshape, and having an outer surface and an inner surface, said connectorbeing elongated in a first direction and having a major arched portionwith a concave curvature toward said inner surface and two minor archedportions with convex curvature toward said inner surface extendingtransverse to said direction of elongation, said two minor archedportions ending in a tip section, b) at least one structural bracketelongated in a first direction and having a roughly rectangular portionsurmounted by a flange portion with bulb enlargements at the edges ofsaid flange portion entending transverse to said direction ofelongation, the width of said rectangular portion being roughly equal tosaid predetermined gap, and the width of said flange portion beingslightly less than the spacing between adjacent bottom sections of saidside rails, c) a pair of slotted holes through said building framemembers at the areas where said predetermined gaps cross said members inthe assembled form of said sheathing assembly, d) at least one pair ofsquare apertures through said relatively rigid connector, said aperturesspaced at a distance approximately equal to the spacing of said slottedholes, e) at least one pair of through holes passing through saidstructural bracket, said through holes spaced at a distanceapproximately equal to the spacing of said slotted holes, and f) atleast two sets of carriage bolts, nuts, and washers, said at least twocarriage bolts passing through said square apertures, said through holesand said slotted holes, said at least two bolts securing said innersurface against said flange portion and the bottom of said rectangularportion against said building frame member, whereby; tightening saidnuts onto said carriage bolts from the underside of said building framemember actuates said rigid connector and engages said roughly dovetailshaped channels with said tip sections and said flange portions.
 9. Thesheathing assembly of claim 7, wherein said interior and exterior skinlayers are composed of pre-painted sheet metal and said energyconservation means comprise; a) a fibrous insulation layer positionedbetween said exterior plane, said interior plane and said spaced apartside rails, b) closure means for sealing all seams between said interiorskin layer, said exterior skin layer, and said openwork frame to providea hermetic enclosure for said building panel, c) a gas fill materialwith a lower thermal conductivity than air contained within saidhermetic enclosure, and d) said openwork frame having said first set ofcross members each paired and aligned with a member of said second setcross members along the length of said side rails, with a thermallyinsulating, load transmitting post disposed at the center of said crossmembers and secured between each said pair, whereby; heat transmissionthrough said sheathing assembly can be reduced relative to prior artbuilding sheathing and said openwork frame can be effectively utilizedto transmit a building load from said exterior plane to said interiorplane.
 10. The sheathing assembly of claim 9, wherein said gas fillmaterial is Argon.
 11. The sheathing assembly of claim 9, withadditional energy conservation means comprising; a) a series of fluiddistribution holes through said angle sections of said side railsclosest to said exterior planes, b) a plenum cover affixed to andspanning said free ends of said at least two angle sections positionedon one side of said web, said plenum cover, said at least two anglesections and said web comprising a fluid distribution plenum integral tosaid side rails, and positioned in said predetermined gaps, c) fluidrouting means for transmitting a process fluid from one of said dovetailchannels positioned nearest said exterior plane to another such dovetailchannel at the opposite side of said building panel and for maintainingthermal contact between said process fluid and said exterior skin layer,d) fluid supply means for introducing said process fluid to a firstplenum situated at one side rail of said building panel, and e) fluidreturn means for removing said process fluid from a second plenumsituated at the opposite side rail of said building panel, whereby; saidsheathing assembly can function as a heat exchange surface transferringthermal energy for solar heating, night sky cooling or other demand sidemanagement applications between said process fluid and the environmentexternal to said panel.
 12. The sheathing assembly of claim 11, whereinsaid fluid routing means comprises; a) a translucent film having apattern of shallow raised portions at a lower side and a light absorbingand emitting surface at an upper side, b) said film substantiallycovering said exterior skin layer, wrapping around said flanges andending within said dovetail shaped channels on both sides of saidbuilding panel, c) with said shallow raised portions bonded to saidpre-painted sheet metal, and said film continuously bonded to saidpre-painted sheet metal at the ends of said building panel, d) saidtranslucent film and said pre-painted sheet metal comprising a capillaryfluid channel between said dovetail shaped channels in areas betweensaid pattern of shallow raised portions, whereby; said process fluid canabsorb solar energy from surfaces directly receiving it and said lightabsorbing and emitting surface can be effectively used for night skycooling.
 13. The sheathing assembly of claim 12, further including aninsulating film bonded to said upper side of said translucent film inareas other than where said translucent film enters said dovetailchannels, said insulating film having an exterior shape disposed toabsorb direct solar insolation throughout the day and having an interiorshape with a multiplicity of hollow chambers, whereby; said hollowchambers can be utilized to inhibit heat transfer losses from said lightabsorbing and emitting surface.
 14. The sheathing assembly of claim 11,wherein said gas fill material is not utilized and said fluid routingmeans comprises a series of holes passing through said bottom sectionand said web section of said side rails, whereby; said process fluid canbe circulated through a space provided between said fibrous insulationlayer and said pre-painted sheet metal.
 15. The sheathing assembly ofclaim 7, wherein said exterior skin and said interior skin are composedof relatively transparent materials and said building panel comprises alight aperture, whereby; said sheathing assembly can be utilized tosubstitute inexpensive daylighting for artificial lighting at theinterior of a building.
 16. The sheathing assembly of claim 15, whereinsaid side rails each have four of said dovetail shaped channels and saidenergy conservation means comprise; a) a plenum cover affixed to andspanning said free ends of said at least two angle sections positionedon one side of said web, said plenum cover, said at least two anglesections and said web comprising a fluid distribution plenum integral tosaid side rails, and positioned in said predetermined gaps, b) a seriesof cooling holes through said webs at the center of said side rails, c)a fluid supply means for introducing a process fluid to a first plenumsituated at one side of said building panel, and d) a fluid return meansfor removing said process fluid from a second plenum situated at theopposite side rail of said building panel, whereby; heat buildup withinsaid building panel can be removed by said process fluid and utilizedelsewhere within a demand side management energy utilization design. 17.The sheathing assembly of claim 16, further including additional energyconservation means comprising; light attenuation means for controllinglight and heat transmission through said light aperture, whereby; saidlight attenuation means can limit summer heat buildup within saidbuilding, regulate building light levels and limit night heat and lightlosses from said building.
 18. The sheathing assembly of claim 17,wherein said light attenuation means comprise; a) one of said fourdovetail shaped channels located at the interior of said building panelnear said exterior plane on each of said side rails comprising a pivotchannel, b) a second of said four dovetail shaped channels located atthe interior of said building panel near said interior plane on each ofsaid side rails comprising a bracket channel, c) a pair of pivot guides,each engaging a pivot channel, each said pivot guide being elongated ina first direction and having a pivot section turning at an acute angleinto an anchor section transverse to said direction of elongation, saidanchor section having a snug fit within said pivot channels, said pivotsection having a series of regularly spaced pivot holes that are indexedand aligned to the corresponding pivot section at the opposing siderail, d) a movable guide, slidably engaging one of said bracketchannels, said movable guide elongated in a first direction and having acontrol section turning at an acute angle into a glide section that iscontained in said bracket channel transverse to said direction ofelongation, said control section being oriented roughly parallel to andopposing one of said pivot guides and having a series of guide slotstransverse to said direction of elongation, e) a plurality of louvers,said louvers having a diffusely reflective surface finish and beingformed from an insulating material, each said louver having a lengthslightly more than the spacing between said pivot sections and a dogbonelike cross sectional profile with an upper curved post capable offitting within said pivot holes and a lower curved post capable offitting between said guide slots with a thinner web portion between saidcurvatures, said web portion removed from the louver a small distancefrom each end, f) said plurality of louvers engaging said pivot holeswith said upper curved posts and engaging said guide slots with saidlower curved posts, aligned roughly perpendicular to said side rails andfree to rotate about said pivot holes based on the position of saidmovable guide, and g) actuator means for engaging and positioning saidplurality of louvers in unison, whereby; said sheathing assembly can beused in conjunction with a daylighting control system to modulateinterior light levels while capturing excess light as heat for useelsewhere in an energy control system.
 19. The sheathing assembly ofclaim 7, further including fluid circulating means for moving a processfluid and energy storage means to form an energy circulation system. 20.The energy circulation system of claim 19, wherein said fluidcirculating means comprises; a) air utilized as said process fluid, b) ablower with a suction port and a discharge port, with said dischargeport connected to said energy storage means by ductwork and said suctionport connected to said sheathing assembly by means of first airdistribution system, and c) said sheathing assembly connected to saidenergy storage means by means of a second air distribution system, d)said first and said second air distribution systems having commonelements comprising; e) a number of rectangular transfer ducts that areattached to an fit within the contours of said building frame members,f) a plurality of rectangular openings in said transfer ducts that arepositioned in close proximity to said predetermined gaps in saidsheathing assembly, g) a plurality of branch tees, each said tee with abase adapted to fit and lock into said rectangular openings, and adaptedto transfer flow between a pair of side arms and said base, h) aplurality connection boots, each said connection boot being elongated ina first direction and having a hollow trapezoidal shape perpendicular tosaid direction with dimensions appropriate to fit between said anglesections while placed against said webs, said boots further includingrectangular apertures at the wide side of said trapezoidal shape withdimensions capable of snugly engaging said branch tee side arms, whereinsaid first air distribution system connects to said sheathing assemblyat alternating predetermined gaps relative to said second airdistribution system and said building panels have flow transmittingmeans for transfer of and energy exchange with said process fluidbetween said first air distribution system and said second airdistribution system.
 21. The energy circulation system of claim 19,wherein said energy storage means comprise; a) a vertical water storagetank for water having a heat exchange jacket largely encompassing thesides of said tank, and having inlet and outlet ports for said water, b)said heat exchange jacket having circulation passages, inlet, and outletports for said process fluid, c) a pumping means for circulation of saidwater to a set of energy usage devices, said pumping means including apump and further including a suction supply piping system, and d) saidsuction supply piping system comprising piping to said pump from one ofsaid water outlet ports, and flow selection means for switching thesupply of said pump to an alternate thermally conditioned water source.22. The energy circulation system of claim 19, wherein said fluidcirculation means has a collection control capability to optimize energycollection from said sheathing assembly to said energy storage means,said energy circulation system further including; a heating ventilatingand air conditioning, (HVAC), system supplied by said energy storagemeans, said energy circulation system and said HVAC system comprising abuilding energy management system, whereby; building energy use can beminimized through the use of demand side management techniques in theareas of heating, cooling and daylighting.
 23. The building energymanagement system of claim 22, wherein said HVAC system comprises awater source heat pump with associated controls.
 24. The building energymanagement system of claim 22, further including advanced control meansfor balancing of a daylighting plant with an electrical lighting plant,said control means having a multiple input, multiple output controlalgorithm and a communications capability for model predictive control.25. A fire safety system for a building, comprising, a) a plurality ofpre-fabricated panels with attachment means at their long edges andspaced apart from one another by a predetermined gap in an assembledroof deck, said roof deck supported by a set of building frame membersand having a roughly planar exterior surface and a relatively planarinterior surface, b) a structural fire resistant connector systempositioned at said gap in the areas where said attachment means crosssaid said frame members, said fire resistant connector system having aninstallation position and an actuated position, said pre-fabricatedpanels being locked relative to one another and said frame members inthe actuated position of said fire resistant connector system, and c) anexterior joint means positioned at said said gap between saidprefabricated panels and having an assembled configuration in saidassembled roof deck and having a fire configuration in the presence of afire condition within said building, said exterior joint means engagingsaid attachment means at said exterior surface and forming a mechanicaljoint and a weatherstrip seal between said pre-fabricated panels in saidassembled configuration, and said exterior joint means disengaged fromsaid attachment means and providing a path through said predeterminedgap between said exterior surface and said interior surface in said fireconfiguration, whereby; said fire safety system allows the release ofheat and smoke at the onset of said fire condition, limiting thetendency towards flashover in said building, and permits the flow ofwater and other fire fighting measures through said roof deck in thearea of said fire condition on arrival of fire fighting personnel tosaid building.
 26. A clamping system for assembling parts to form anopenwork frame, said clamping system comprising: a) at least one beamhaving at least one channel with an opening extending into a roughlydovetail interior shape, said interior shape having a flange surface anda reaction surface roughly opposed to and spaced apart from said flangesurface, b) at least one relatively rigid connector elongated in a firstdirection and having a lever portion continuing into a tip portion at anangle to said lever portion transverse to said direction of elongation,said lever portion and said tip portion connected on one side by aconvex pivot surface, and c) at least one cross member having a firstside and a second side, and having at least one end modified on saidfirst side to form a mating surface that is roughly congruent to saidflange surface, and having said at least one end modified on said secondside to serve as a fulcrum surface, d) said clamping system having asetup configuration and an assembled configuration, wherein said matingsurface is registered to said flange surface in both configurations,said pivot surface is contacting said fulcrum surface in bothconfigurations, e) said tip portion is inserted through said openinginto said roughly dovetail interior interior shape in said setupconfiguration and engaging said reaction surface in said assembledconfiguration, and said lever portion is affixed to said cross member insaid assembled configuration, further including; f) an actuating meansfor moving said clamping system between said setup configuration andsaid assembled configuration and for applying a modest force to saidlever portion, g) a securing means for attaching said cross member tosaid lever portion, and maintaining a fixed position between saidrelatively rigid connector and said at least one channel in saidassembled configuration, whereby; said clamping system enables a rapid,precision, pull-out proof assembly of said openwork frame withoutdirectly perforating and placing a conventional fastener through thejoint between said at least one cross member and said at least one beam.